The search is kinda working, but they moved servers earlier this year and broke some links. It is usually because the URL for the thread returned in the search is pointing to "http://forums2.gardenweb.com/...". If this happens, go up to the "Address" or "URL" field in your browser, put your cursor behind the '2' and remove it (backspace), then hit "Enter". The url should look like "http://forums.gardenweb.com/..." You should then be able to find the thread. In some cases the opposite is true, the thread returned in the search is pointing to "http://forums.gardenweb.com/...". If this happens, go up to the "Address" or "URL" field in your browser, put your cursor behind the 's' in "forums" and type in a 2, then hit "Enter". The url should look like "http://forums2.gardenweb.com/..." You can also try using Google.com. Type in "site:gardenweb.com text you are looking for" (without the ").

Thanks everyone. For some reason, gardenweb didn't forward me these responses until nadiag's today - so I assumed I hadn't gotten any replies. I think nadiag is right about their services - they don't cold call, but optimize searches on google, yahoo and msn searches so that you come up. The zip code exclusivity means that they won't perform this service for other therapists in those zip codes. If I wanted to pay a ton of money, I could get them to only work with me in the entire DC area. That doesn't mean other companies and individuals aren't optimizing their own names to appear on top during web searches. Osbist and rivkadr - I am working on a website. In fact, that cold call from Virtro really catalyzed me. I've contacted 2 web designers and gotten proposals. I've written more than half my content and already know which pages I want. Yes, it is a simple site in terms of not doing e-commerce on the site. Rivkadr - here in DC, most therapists I know don't have websites, but perhaps 5-10% do - and in a city with tons of therapist, that's still a lot on line. But almost all their websites are amateurish and the content is lacking in integrity and honesty toward potential clients. I know these sites work for some of them, but I want one that's more honest and reflective of the therapy process - and less insulting to the viewer's intelligence. I'd also like visual appeal and sophisticated design. My concern with Virtro is that I'm not sure they're offering anything I couldn't do myself with paying for google adwords. I think that's all they're doing - but on 3 search engines instead of one. They claim to be superior about knowing which adwords are most effective. Nadiag- it sounds like they have truly performed that way for you. I'm not sure I could do as well for myself. If I do google adwords myself, in a big city, you pay for the search words and number of clicks to your site - it's much more costly bc. therapists bid against each other to pay the most for those search words. So my monthly costs could well be the same as Virtro's charges - $150-300/month - which isn't very different than the yellow page ad I've had (that used to work to bring a few patients a year, but is no longer effective). Nadiag - when you hire Virtro, does your fee to them cover the cost for all those search words - or do you also have to pay google, yahoo, and msn for each keyword you've selected? I think that Virtro - just like google adwords - is much more expensive in a more concentrated, urban market. I'm so glad you stumbled on this thread and responded. I had thought I"d pass on Virtro - but since you've had success, I may recontact them and see if their cost includes all charges by the search engines to use those keywords. Thanks. Still happy to hear any other opinions. Lynn. PS - I can tell that I've already learned a fair bit since I posted 2 weeks ago.

Been using DuckDuckGo as my default search engine and recommending it for quite a while. And WTH, I like the duck! Occasionally I also use and recommend IxQuick and StartPage. They're probably about the most private search engines out there. And yes, some don't care. I do. And no, nothing is 100% private, nor secure on the internet. I used to use Mamma (the Mother of all search engines) and Dogpile to avoid the "G" spot whenever I could. I got tired of hearing Oh yeah, the proper term now I was offended by people saying they "googled" something so I didn't want to feed the beast. Seemed as appropriate to me as "I Charmined", "I Red Lobstered" or "I Toyotaed" something. People have to have a nonsensical phrase for everything. Isn't it "delish"? And Joyful, don't forget the Kitchen Table Kommandment Thou shalt not make a joke or someone shalt be offended! ;) Anyway, you should really have more than one search engine when you're searching. Some pick up things others don't. There is no one "best".

I don't like google because they wanted my phone number to register. I immediately got 4 telemarketer text when I hung up. I got rid of anything google and now use Altavista for a home page. Yahoo is the search engine. The only problem I have had with it is, when I open a new tab the help forum comes up, several threads in miniature instead of a blank page. It may have to do with FF 13 update. I had it set to notify me about updates and it went to default.